Takahashi TOA-150 refractor with EM-400 Temma2 EQ

Takahashi TOA-150 refractor with EM-400 Temma2 EQ

The TOA-150 is the floret of the range of apochromatic refractors, proposed by Takahashi. As usual, the Japanese company has manufactured one of the most beautiful and powerful telescopes that can be found on the worldwide market.

Incomparable optics providing a very small residual chromatism and featuring reliable and robust mechanics, that is what TOA-150 will provide to any amateur astronomers looking for the best. No matter what you are looking for, from deep sky CCD imaging to high-resolution planetary visual observation, TOA-150 will bring you the best. Moreover, all your needs will be fulfilled by a large range of accessories.

The TOA-150 is available either the tube itself (OTA) or complete configuration. In spite of its size and its weight, this refractor can be used as an itinerant mode, particularly when it is associated with the EM-400 equatorial mount. This will allow the end-user to take advantage of the best night skies.

Mount Description:

With a loading capacity of 35 kg, the EM-400 equatorial mount is placed between the JP-Z and the EM-500 but with the ergonomics of the EM-200. Composed of 3 dismountable parts, it is easier to transport and more rapid to implement that the JP-Z. Moreover, integration of the electronic parts inside keeps safely all the fragile elements. It is ideal for the itinerant observers wishing to take advantage of their optical tubes under the best night skies, like for instance TOA-150 refractor or Mewlon-250 reflector.

The EM-400 is equipped with the Temma-2 automatic pointing system, controllable by computer. It is compatible with the majority of the software used by the astronomers amateurs (via the ASCOM interface, for example), whether it is Windows, MacOSX or Linux operating systems.

Whatever your optical tube, your assembly or your astronomical field of predilection are, the Takahashi EM-400 EQ mount will answer your waiting.

Optical Specification:

  • Optical design- Triplet Ortho Apochromatique
  • Optical mounting- Air spaced
  • Glass types- SD/ED
  • Optical coatings- Fully Multi-Coated
  • Aperture- 150mm
  • Resolution- 0.77”
  • Visual limiting magnitude- 12.7
  • Light grasp- 459x
  • Focal length- 1100mm
  • Focal ratio- F/7.3
  • Focal length (with TOA-FL35 flattener)- 1080mm
  • Focal ratio- F/7.2
  • Image circle- 40mm
  • Focal length (with TOA-FL67 flattener)- 1090mm
  • Focal ratio- F/7.3
  • Image circle- 90mm (60% non-vignetted)
  • Focal length (with TOA-RD reducer)- 860mm
  • Focal ratio- F/5.7
  • Image circle- 50mm (60% non-vignetted)
  • Focal length (with extender-TOA 1.6)- 1760mm
  • Focal ratio- F/11.7
  • Image circle- 40mm
  • Rack-and-pinion focuser diameter- 101.6mm
  • Tube length (mini/maxi)- 1100mm-1290mm (with standard accessories)***
  • Tube diameter- 179mm
  • Tube weight- 14.6 kg (balancing couterweight cradle : 4.8 kg)

***Retractable dew-shield

EM-400 Temma-2 EQ Mount Specification:

  • Type- German Equatorial Mount
  • R.A. Slow-Motion- Motor driven
  • DEC. Slow-Motion- Motor driven
  • Azimuth Adjustments- ± 10° with rotary base plate
  • Elevation Adjustments- with ML altitude wedge: 0° to 50° with HL altitude wedge : 15° to 55° (default version for Europe)
  • Polar Finder / Accuracy- Built-in / 2'
  • R.A. Setting Circle Accuracy- No setting circles
  • DEC. Setting Circle Accuracy- No setting circles
  • Encoders-  Included
  • Weight - Main block : 22.5 kg, Altitude wedge : 5.2 kg
  • Total weight (with counterweight shaft) : 29.5 kg
  • Counterweights- 2x8 kg
  • Maximal Loading Capacity- 35 kg (without counterweight)
  • Optimal Loading Capacity- 20 kg (without counterweight)
  • Operating Voltage- 12V / 24V DC
  • Power Consumption-  @12VDC : 0.5/0.7A (NS, sidereal rate and tracking speed) ; 1.6A (HS, pointing speed), @24VDC : 0.4/0.9A (NS, sidereal rate and tracking speed) ; 1.4A (HS, pointing speed), Standby mode : 0.1A
  • Tube moutings- Flat base with 4 x M10 et 2 x M8 screws
  • Mounting Capacities- Tube rings, plates and dovetail mounting plates
  • Option- Tripods, stand piers
  • R.A. axis diameter (material)- 40 mm (steel)
  • R.A. worm gear shaft diameter (material)- 20 mm (steel)
  • R.A. gear diameter (material)- 150 mm/180 teeth (bronze)
  • DEC. axis diameter (material)- 40 mm (steel)
  • DEC. worm gear shaft diameter (material)-  20 mm (steel)
  • DEC. gear diameter (material)- 150 mm/180 teeth (bronze)
  • Stepper Motors Accuracy- 50 pps
  • Slow Motion Speeds- R.A. : 0.1x to 1.9x sidereal rate, DEC. : ± 1.5' to 13.5' (by increment of 1.5'/sec)
  • High Speed Mode- 12V. : 250x sidereal rate (R.A.), ± 1°/sec (DEC.), 24V. : 500x sidereal rate (R.A.), ±2°/sec (DEC.)
  • Worm gear shaft cycle- 8 minutes
  • Tracking Accuracy- ± 5"
  • Autoguiding- SBIG compatible (mini-DIN PS2 connector)
  • PC connectivity- RS-232C serial port (with S-VHS to DB-9 cable)